Apparatus and Methods for Isolating Human Body

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 8 ) and methods are provided for facilitating medical procedures, such as providing injections to human or animal patients. The apparatus and methods mitigate against discomfort and/or pain often experienced by a patient receiving an injection for a therapeutic or a cosmetic purpose. The apparatus and methods are effective to isolate a surface area of a human or animal body, even an irregularly shaped surface area of a body, for enabling localized preparation of the skin, for example for localized cooling of the skin.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.60/567,272 filed on Apr. 30, 2004, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is generally directed to apparatus and methods forfacilitating medical procedures, such as providing injections to humansand animals, and is more specifically directed to apparatus and methodseffective to facilitate or to prepare a body area for one or moreinjections, for example by isolating an area of a body for localizedcooling.

Injecting materials, for example, antibiotics, medications and cosmeticmaterials, into a human body is a very common and effective way oftreating various conditions in a human. Such injections can cause asubstantial amount of discomfort and/or pain. In some people, even therelatively small amount of discomfort or pain caused by injections canresult in avoidance of needed injections. Discomfort and pain can bealleviated by applying topical anesthetics to the injection site.However, such topical anesthetics often require a substantial amount oftime before they become effective once they are placed on an area of abody.

More effective apparatus and methods are needed for reducing occurrenceof discomfort, pain and/or fear of a person undergoing a medicalprocedure such as receiving an injection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for isolating anarea of a human body, for example, such an area which is to be injectedwith a beneficial substance, to allow localized application of a topicalanesthetic or other skin preparation agent. The localized application ofa topical anesthetic provides anesthetic effect to the desired targetarea without detrimentally affecting body surfaces outside the localizedarea.

In an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the topicalskin preparation agent is a coolant, for example a vapocoolant, to allowlocalized and preferably rapid cooling of the area to provide ananesthetic-like effect. When the present apparatus is used prior to orduring an otherwise painful or uncomfortable procedure on a body area,the remainder of the body is advantageously substantially unaffected bythe skin preparation agent, for example, is substantially unaffected bycooling of the area. Moreover, once the procedure, for example,injection, has been completed, normal sensitivity at the injected areapreferably returns relatively quickly so that the human is subjected tono detrimental long term effects of the cooling. In one aspect, thepresent invention provides for a rapid cooling of a well defined area ofthe body, for example a well defined surface area of the body, which,after such area is anesthetized, for example, cooled, and injected,returns to normal sensitivity with substantially no side effects.

In a specific embodiment, injection site isolation apparatus forisolating an area of a human body for localized cooling are provided.The apparatus may comprise a member comprising a first layer and asecond layer, for example, a first absorbent layer and a second layer,advantageously a relatively less absorbent second layer.

The first layer preferably includes an absorbent first material, and hasa first surface, a substantially opposing second surface and a firstthrough aperture extending between the first and second surfaces. Thefirst layer is preferably absorbent to the skin preparation agent, forexample, an evaporative coolant, or vapocoolant, to be passed throughthe first through aperture. The first through aperture is sized to allowan evaporative coolant, for example, halogen-containing organiccompounds, such as fluoro carbons, fluoro/chloro carbons, ethyl chlorideand the like and mixtures thereof, to pass toward and/or into and/orthrough the aperture and come into contact with an area of a human bodywhen the first surface of the first layer is placed in proximity to thearea of the human body.

The second layer includes a second material which is less absorbent thanthe first material and has a second through aperture. The second throughaperture preferably is at least as large as, for example is larger than,the first through aperture. In a preferred embodiment, the secondthrough aperture substantially overlaps, or substantially entirelyencompasses the first through aperture. The second layer is secured tothe first layer, for example by heat bonding, the use of one or moreadhesive and the like and combinations thereof, and is disposed inproximity to the second surface of the first layer. For example, thefirst and second layers are advantageously located in a layeredrelationship such that the second surface of the first layersubstantially abuts the second layer.

In one very useful embodiment, the member is sized and configured to beheld in and manipulated by a single adult human hand, for example, ahand of a physician or other caretaker.

The member may be configured so that the first surface of the firstlayer, that is, the surface of the member which comes in contact with anarea of a human body to be treated, is convex when the member is atrest, for example, when substantially no external force is being appliedto the member other than gravity. The member may further be configuredso that the second layer has a surface, for example an outer surfacewhich faces away from the first surface of the first layer, which isconcave when the member is at rest. Advantageously, the memberpreferably is sufficiently flexible so that when applied to a surface ofa body to be treated, even one or more irregularly shaped areas of thebody, the member can be substantially conformed to the surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first material is a porousmaterial, such as a porous polymeric material, for example a porous orfoamed polyolefin, e.g., polyethylene, material. Other suitablematerials, for example, other suitable polymeric materials, may also beused in or as the first material. The first material should be such asto be effective in the present invention without causing any significantadverse reaction or interference with the human undergoing treatment, orwith the skin preparation agent being used, or with the treatment to beadministered to the human.

The first through aperture often has a size and shape effective to allowcooling of an intended area of a human body. For example, the firstthrough aperture may have a size and shape effective to allowpreparation, e.g., cooling, of only or substantially only the intendedarea of a human or animal body. Often, the first through aperture issubstantially centrally located in the first layer, although theaperture may be located in other non-centrally located regions of thefirst layer. The first through aperture may have a circular shape, anoval shape, a polygonal shape, an elongated, for example narrow linearshape, or irregular shape, or any other shape suitable for the intendedapplication. For example, in some embodiments, the first throughaperture has an elongated shape having a size or length substantiallycorresponding to a size or length of a crease in human skin that is tobe injected with collagen or other cosmetically beneficial material.

In one very useful embodiment, the second material included in thesecond layer is a substantially solid material, for example, asubstantially solid polymeric material, for example a substantiallysolid polyolefin, for example, polyethylene, material. Other suitablematerials, for example, other suitable polymeric materials may also beused in or as the second material.

In one embodiment, the second material is relatively harder than thefirst material. The second material may be more rigid than the firstmaterial. Even in this situation, however, it is preferred that themember be sufficiently flexible or deformable so as to be able to bemanually manipulated, for example, so as to be able to conform theapparatus to irregularly-shaped areas of the body. For example, thesecond layer may be made of a non-absorbent deformable material.

Advantageously, the second layer is structured to facilitate placing thefirst layer in contact with one or more irregularly-shaped areas of ahuman body. For example, the second layer preferably is effective tofacilitate applying increased force or pressure on the first layer tocause the first surface of the first layer to conform to an irregularlyshaped human body part.

The second through aperture located in the second layer, preferablysubstantially overlaps, or substantially entirely overlaps, or forexample, substantially encompasses, the first through aperture. In anespecially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second throughaperture has a cross-sectional area of at least about two times or atleast about three times or more the cross-sectional area of the firstthrough aperture.

Preferably, the second through aperture is shaped to enhance contactbetween the body surface and the first layer. For example, the secondthrough aperture has a configuration, for example, a shape and/or sizeand/or thickness, that facilitates applying increased force or pressureon the first layer to cause the first layer to conform to one or moreirregularly shaped areas of the human body, for example, relative to areference second through aperture defining a circular shape (having acircular cross-section) and having the same cross-sectional area as thesecond through aperture.

In a very useful embodiment, the second layer includes one or morefingers or projections extending into the second through aperture. Suchfingers or projections facilitate applying increased force or pressureon the first layer to cause the first layer to more closely conform tothe surface of the body, relative to an otherwise identical devicewithout such fingers of projections.

The present apparatus may be made using conventional manufacturingtechniques, for example, conventional polymeric material processingtechniques used for producing polymeric material composites. Forexample, the first layer and second layer may be made separately andthen secured together, or may be made together and secured in suchmanufacturing processing. The two layers may be made and sizedseparately, the through apertures are then formed in the layers, and thelayers having the apertures therethrough are then secured together. Thefirst layer may be secured to the second layer using conventionaltechniques, such as one or more of heat processing, adhesives,multi-material molding, co-molding, ultrasound processing, otherpolymeric material composite manufacturing techniques, and combinationsthereof. Preferably, the layers are secured together using heat bondingwithout the use of adhesives or the like.

In one embodiment, the second layer includes one or more ribs near theperiphery of the second layer opposite the first layer. Such ribs arestructured to be effective to inhibit dripping of skin preparationmaterial, for example, condensed evaporative coolant, from the member.Further, the second layer may include at least one opening, for examplea plurality of openings near the periphery of the second layer, forexample inside of the one or more ribs. The openings are sized andpositioned to capture excess skin preparation material, for example, tocapture liquid evaporant coolant and substantially prevent leakage ordripping thereof from the member. Upon entering the openings in thesecond layer, such excess material becomes absorbed by the absorbentfirst layer, thereby reducing the chance that the excess material willcontact the skin.

The present apparatus provides for a focused application of a skinpreparation agent, such as an evaporative coolant, to achieve thedesired degree of localized, focused preparation, e.g., cooling, of adesired area of a body to be treated, for example, an area of a body tobe injected. In addition, the present apparatus is advantageouslystructured to reduce or prevent any leakage, dripping or spillage causedby the skin preparation agent, for example caused by condensation of theskin preparation agent, e.g., evaporative coolant, from the member.

The present invention further provides methods of treating a localizedintended area of a human or animal body. In a broad aspect of theinvention, a method is provided which generally comprises the step ofproviding a member including an absorbent first layer having a firstsurface, a substantially opposing second surface, and a first throughaperture extending between the first and second surfaces, and arelatively less absorbent second layer having a second through aperturesubstantially encompassing the first through aperture. Preferably, themember comprises an apparatus of the invention as described and shownelsewhere herein.

The method further comprises the step of placing the member in contactwith a human or animal body so that the first layer is in contact withthe body and the first through aperture substantially circumscribes anintended area of the body to be treated, and preparing the intended areafor treatment by passing a skin preparation agent or material, forexample, an evaporative coolant, through the first and second throughapertures while the member is so placed. The skin preparation materialis passed through the through apertures by spraying, brushing orotherwise applying the skin preparation material to the intended area.The skin preparation material typically is in a fluid, e.g., gas orliquid or vaporous, form during the application thereof, but it is to beappreciated that materials in gel form or solid form may also be used inaccordance with the present invention.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of treating theintended area that has been prepared, for example, injecting atherapeutically or cosmetically beneficial material into the area.

In a more specific embodiment, the step of preparing comprisesanesthetizing the intended area, for example, cooling the intended areaby application of a skin preparation agent comprising a vapocoolant.

The step of treating may be performed while the apparatus is in contactwith the body. For example, after application of a vapocoolant to theintended area, the area may be injected with a therapeutically orcosmetically beneficial material by inserting a distal end of a needlethrough the first and second through apertures and into the intendedarea.

Alternatively, the member may be removed from the body prior to the stepof treating.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for preparing an area ofa human body for one or more injections is provided. The methodgenerally comprises placing an apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention on an intended area of a human body to receive an injection. Askin preparation agent, preferably an evaporative coolant, is passedtoward, into and/or through the first through aperture while theapparatus is so placed. This results in localized preparation,preferably cooling, of the intended area of the human body, for example,to effectively anesthetize the intended area without substantiallyanesthetizing surface areas surrounding the intended area. The apparatusmay be removed from the body prior to administering one or moreinjections to the intended area of the body.

Any and all features described herein and combinations of such featuresare included within the scope of the present invention provided that thefeatures of any such combination are not mutually inconsistent.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention areapparent in the following detailed description and claims, particularlywhen considered in conjunction with the following drawings in which likeparts are identified by like reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coolant spray shield member inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the shield member shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the shield member taken along avertical line through the center of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a coolantspray shield member in accordance with the present invention roughlyshown in a shape created by the user=s hand as the shield is squeezedand bent together to cause the device to be better shaped to conform toa more concave area of the body.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shield member taken above line5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the Figures, an apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention is shown generally at 8. Apparatus 8 is useful forisolating a specific, intended area of a body, for example to preparethe intended area for receiving an injection or other medical procedurethat may be uncomfortable or painful. In the embodiment shown, apparatus8 comprises a substantially dome-shaped member 10 including a firstlayer 12 and an abutting second layer 14. When in use, the first layer12 is placed in contact with the body area to be treated.

The first layer 12 includes a first surface 12 a and a substantiallyopposing second surface 12 b. First layer 12 is preferably is made of anabsorbent material, such as a porous polymeric material, for example,but not limited to, a porous polyethylene. The size and/or shape of thefirst layer 12 are selected to be effective to cover, for exampleshield, a suitably sized area of the body circumscribing the intendedarea to be treated. For example, the first layer is sized and shaped tofacilitate placing at least a portion of the layer 12, and in particularat least a portion of an first surface 12 a of the layer 12, in contactwith an area of a human body in proximity to, for example in contactwith, the area of the human body to be injected.

By way of example, and without limitation, the layer 12 may have adiameter in a range of about 2 inches or less, to about 3 inches, orabout 4 inches or more, and a thickness in the range of about 0.2 inchor less, to about 0.5 inch, or about 0.6 inch or more. A very usefulembodiment provides that the layer 12 has a diameter of about 2.0 inchesor about 3.0 to about 3.5 or about 4.0 inches, or about 5.0 inches ormore. The layer 12 has a thickness of about 2 mm, or about 4 mm, orabout 6 mm, to about 8 mm, or about 10 mm, or about 12 mm, or more. In aspecific embodiment of the invention, layer 12 is made of a porouspolyethylene and has thickness of about 0.38 inch (about 10 mm).

The absorbent layer 12 includes a substantially centrally locatedthrough aperture 18 having a size and shape suitable for exposing theintended area of a body to be treated when the apparatus is placed onthe body with the perimeter of the through aperture 18 substantiallycircumscribing the intended area.

The second layer 14 preferably is structured of a material that does notreadily absorb a skin preparation agent, for example an evaporativecoolant, for example a vapocoolant, to be applied to the intended area.For example, the second layer 14 may comprise a substantially solid, orsubstantially non-porous material, for example, a material that isrelatively harder and/or more rigid than the material from which thefirst layer 12 is made.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, second layer 14 is made of apolymeric material, for example, a polyolefin material, for example, apolyethylene material.

Although the second layer 14 is harder and/or more rigid than the firstlayer 12, it should be understood that the entire member 10, andtherefore layers 12 and 14, are preferably sufficiently flexible toallow the layer 12 to closely conform to the desired area of a humanbody, for example, an irregularly shaped area of a human body asdescribed elsewhere herein. The second layer 14 is preferably structuredto be effective to provide increased pressure and/or force to the layer12, for example, through manual application of pressure and/or force onsecond layer 14, so as to effectively allow member 10, and in particularlayer 12, to closely and tightly conform to the desired area of thehuman body.

Member 10 can be made using one or more conventional compositemanufacturing techniques. Those of ordinary skill in the art will beable to produce the present apparatus based on the disclosure set forthherein. By way of example, first and second layers 12, 14 can beindividually or independently produced, using conventional techniques,and thereafter secured together using conventional means. Layers 12, 14may be bonded together using conventional heat bonding techniques.Preferably, no adhesives are used in the bonding process. The layers 12,14 may be bonded using conventional ultrasound processing. For example,an ultrasound horn may be applied to the first or second layer andultrasound may be radiated into the layers to cause bonding between thelayers 12, 14, for example at or near the outer periphery of the secondlayer 14.

In any event, second surface 12 b of first layer 12 is in an abuttingrelation to second layer 14, as best shown in FIG. 3.

As shown, the second layer 14 includes a second through aperture 20 thatoverlaps, for example encompasses, first through aperture 18. As shownin FIGS. 1 to 3, the second through aperture 20 is larger in size thanthe first through aperture 18. In some embodiments, the second throughaperture has a cross-section of at least about 2 times or at least about3 times the cross sectional area of the first through aperture. In otherembodiments, second through aperture 20 has a cross sectional area thatis about 25% larger, or about 50% larger, or about twice as large as thefirst through aperture 18. In this particular embodiment, second throughaperture 20 is shown as having a tri-lobe configuration. Although notessential to the effectiveness of the present invention, this tri-lobeconfiguration facilitates ease of use and effectiveness of the member10, as will be described elsewhere herein.

Preferably, the second through aperture 20 is configured to enhancecontact between the body surface and the first layer. For example, thesecond through aperture 20 has a configuration, for example, a shapeand/or size and/or thickness, that facilitates applying increased forceor pressure on the first layer to cause the first layer to conform toone or more irregularly shaped areas of the human body, for example,relative to a reference second through aperture defining a circularshape (having a circular cross-section) and having the samecross-sectional area as the second through aperture 20.

For example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, second throughaperture 20 is defined in part by at least one, and more preferably aplurality of inwardly extending fingers or projections 22. Suchprojections 22 extend inwardly toward the first through aperture 18. Theprojections 22 enhance pressure or force on portions of the first layer12 immediately surrounding the first through aperture 18 when the member10 is located on a body area and manual pressure is being applied to thesecond layer 14. The enhanced pressure causes the first layer 12 to moreclosely conform to the contours of the area of the human or animal bodyaround or in proximity to the exposed body area to be treated, relativeto an otherwise identical member without the projections 22.

The advantages of the present invention may be more clearly understoodand appreciated with reference to the following non-limiting example.Member 10 is placed in contact with a human body with the first throughaperture 18 substantially circumscribing an intended area to be injectedwith a therapeutically or cosmetically beneficial material. To preparethe skin and mitigate against pain experienced by the patient, a skinpreparation agent, for example an anesthetizing agent, preferably anevaporative coolant, is applied to the intended area by spraying thecoolant at or toward the aperture 18 while the physician presses againstthe second layer 14 to cause close contact between the first layer 12and the patient's skin. The portion of the absorbent layer 12 exposedthrough second aperture 20 absorbs or catches that portion of skinpreparation agent spray that misses or does not pass through the firstaperture 18. In this manner, only the body area circumscribed by thefirst aperture 18 is exposed to and prepared, for example anesthetized,for example cooled, by the evaporative coolant. Absorbing the excessagent in layer 12 also is effective to reduce spillage of agent, forexample condensed coolant.

An additional feature of shield member 10 which is effective to reducespillage of excess skin preparation agent, for example condensedcoolant, is an upwardly extending peripheral rim 24 which catches orholds condensed coolant on the outer surface 26 of relativelynon-absorbent second layer 14. A still further feature to reducespillage includes peripheral openings 28 in second layer 14, locatedinwardly of rim 24. Such openings 28 expose portions of absorbent layer12, so that condensed coolant held by rim 24 is absorbed in thoseportions of absorbent layer 12.

Member 10 is preferably configured so that, when the member 10 is atrest, it assumes a somewhat dome-shaped configuration. Morespecifically, in the embodiment shown, the outer surface 26 of secondlayer 14 is substantially concave and the outer surface 16 of firstlayer 12 is substantially convex. This configuration is effective infacilitating closely conforming contact between the first layer 12 andthe body, even an irregularly shaped region of the body, when manualpressure is applied against the second member 14. Member 10 is sized andshaped to be comfortably and easily held and manipulated by a singleadult human hand.

In methods of the invention that utilize an evaporative coolant as askin preparation material, the evaporative coolant may be chosen fromany evaporative coolant suitable for providing the desired amount ofcooling to the body area in question. Although the evaporative coolantmay be ethyl chloride and the like materials, in one very usefulembodiment, the evaporative coolant includes one or more otherhalogen-containing organic compounds such as fluoro carbons, chlorohydrocarbons, mixtures of the same and the like. In particular, althoughthe fluoro carbons and/or chloro carbons do not provide the amount ofcooling (on a weight basis) obtainable using ethyl chloride, the amountof cooling provided by such materials is sufficient to achieve theresults desired in accordance with the present invention. A very usefulevaporative coolant for use in the present invention is an HFC-basedcoolant recently FDA-approved for pre-injection anesthesia. One suchcoolant is sold by Gebauer Company.

By confining the evaporative coolant to the intended area of the humanbody, the remainder of the human body is not exposed to the evaporativecoolant and is not cooled by the evaporative coolant. Thus, only limitedexposure to the evaporative coolant is obtained.

In one possible use, shield member 10 is placed in contact with a humanbody so that the area of the body to be injected is circumscribed by thefirst through aperture 18. An evaporative coolant is sprayed towardaperture 18, thereby cooling the circumscribed area of the body. Theshield member 10 is removed, or remains in place, and the injection orinjections are substantially immediately administered. The patientexperiences less pain/anxiety and an increased level of comfort duringand after the injection/injections.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternate shield member, shown generally at110, in accordance with the present invention. Except as expresslystated herein, shield member 110 is structured and functions similarlyto shield member 10. Components of shield member 110 which correspond tocomponents of shield member 10 are indicated by the same referencenumeral increased by 100.

One primary difference between shield member 110 and shield member 10relates to the configurations, for example shapes, of first throughaperture 118 and second through aperture 120. First through aperture 118is relatively narrow and elongated, for example is substantially linear,relative to first aperture 18. The shape of first aperture 118 reflectsthat the use of shield member 110 is to isolate a different area of thebody, for example, an elongated or linear area, relative to shieldmember 10. In general, the size and/or shape of the first throughaperture of the present apparatus may be, and preferably is, varied tofit the application for which the apparatus is to be used.

In addition, the size and shape of the second through aperture 120 hasbeen varied relative to second through aperture 20. In effect, the sizeand shape of second through aperture 120 has been modified toaccommodate the size and shape of the first through aperture 118. Itshould be noted that the size and shape of the first and second throughapertures, as well as the size and shape of the present shield memberitself, may be varied to suit the particular application involved or tobe addressed.

Note that inwardly extending projections or fingers 122 are present, aswell as peripheral rim 124 is present. Shield member 110 as shown doesnot include any peripheral openings, such as peripheral openings 28shown in FIG. 1.

In another aspect of the invention, methods are provided for preparing ahuman or animal body for localized treatment, for example, forinjection. Such methods generally comprise the steps of providing anapparatus, preferably apparatus of the present invention comprising amember as described elsewhere herein, and placing the member in contactwith a human or animal body so that the first layer is in contact withthe body and the first through aperture substantially circumscribes anintended area of the body to be treated. The method further comprisespreparing the intended area for treatment by passing a skin preparationagent, for example an evaporative coolant, through the first and secondthrough apertures while the member is so placed. The intended are isthen treated as desired.

Methods of the invention are also provided for treating a localized areaof a human or animal body. These methods generally include the steps ofpreparing the area, for example as described hereinabove, and treatingthe area with or without the member of the invention in place on thebody.

While this invention has been described with respect to various specificexamples and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited thereto and that it can be variously practiced within thescope of the following claims.

1. An apparatus for isolating an area of a human or animal body forlocalized cooling comprising: a member comprising a first layerincluding an absorbent first material and having a first surface, asubstantially opposing second surface and a first through apertureextending between the first and second surfaces, the first throughaperture being sized to allow an evaporant coolant to pass therethroughand come into contact with an area of a human or animal body when thefirst surface of the first layer is placed in proximity to the area ofthe human or animal body; and a second layer including a second materialand a second through aperture overlapping the first through aperture,the second layer being secured to the first layer and located inproximity to the second surface of the first layer.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the second through aperture substantially encompassesthe first through aperture.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thesecond material is relatively less absorbent than the first material. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first material is a porouspolymeric material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the member issufficiently flexible to conform to one or more irregularly shaped areasof a human or animal body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein themember is configured so that the first surface of the first layer isconvex when the member is at rest.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe second through aperture has a configuration that facilitatesapplying increased pressure on the first layer to cause the first layerto conform to one or more irregularly shaped areas of a human or animalbody.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second layer includes oneor more fingers extending into the second through aperture.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first layer is heat bonded to thesecond layer.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second layerincludes structure effective to capture condensed evaporative coolant.11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the structure comprises at leastone of a plurality of ribs and a plurality of openings adjacent aperiphery of the second layer.
 12. Apparatus for isolating an area of ahuman or animal body for localized treatment of the area, the apparatuscomprising: a member comprising a first layer including an absorbentfirst material and having a first surface, a substantially opposingsecond surface and a first through aperture extending between the firstand second surfaces, the first through aperture being sized to allow anskin preparation agent to be passed therethrough and come into contactwith an area of a human or animal body when the first surface of thefirst layer is placed in proximity to the area of the body; and a secondlayer including a second material less absorbent than the first materialand a second through aperture overlapping the first through aperture,the second layer being secured to the first layer and located inproximity to the second surface of the first layer.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein the second through aperture substantially encompassesthe first through aperture.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein thesecond material is relatively less absorbent than the first material.15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the second through aperture isconfigured to enhance contact between the first layer and a surface ofthe body when the apparatus is pressed against the surface.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein the second layer includes structureeffective to capture condensed evaporative coolant.
 17. A method oftreating a localized area of a human or animal body, the methodcomprising: providing a member including an absorbent first layer havinga first surface, a substantially opposing second surface, and a firstthrough aperture extending between the first and second surfaces, and asecond layer abutting the first layer and having a second throughaperture substantially overlapping the first through aperture; placingthe member in contact with a human or animal body such that the firstlayer is in contact with the body and an intended area of the body to beprepared is exposed through the first through aperture; and preparingthe intended area for treatment by passing a skin preparation agentthrough the first and second through apertures while the member is soplaced.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the skin preparation agent isa vapocoolant.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step oftreating the body by injecting the intended area after the step ofpreparing, and the step of treating is performed while the member is soplaced on the body.
 20. The method of claim 17 further comprising thestep of treating the body by injecting the intended area after the stepof preparing, and the step of treating is performed after the member hasbeen removed from being so placed on the body.